Drug development company XTL Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. (Nasdaq:XTLB); LSE: XTL; TASE:XTL) today announced the start of Phase I clinical trials for its hepatitis C treatment, XTL-2125. The trial will examine the drug’s safety profile and anti-viral activity in chronic hepatitis C patients.
XTL specializes in developing hepatitis treatments. The company’s Hepex-B drug for the treatment of hepatitis B will soon begin Phase III clinical trials in collaboration with Cubist Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: CBST) of the US.
XTL-2125 is considered XTL’s great hope, because the hepatitis C market is considerably larger than the hepatitis B market, and XTL is developing XTL-2125 independently.
XTL is also developing a second hepatitis C treatment, XTL-6865, which is already undergoing Phase I clinical trials.
XTL CEO Ron Bentsur said today that the company expected to release the results of both clinical trials by year-end.
Last month, XTL raised $28 million on Nasdaq, and the company is expected to use most of the proceeds to finance the two clinical trials. XTL’s share rose 2.4% in morning trading on the TASE.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on May 4, 2006
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